... not for me personally, but in the Critiques section -- but I thought I'd put the appeal here so as to catch everyone's eye, because we need you -- yes, YOU!
We all know (or we all should know...) about the relatively new Rules and Guidelines in Critiques -- and for those who have forgotten here's the link to them http://www.sffchronicles.co.uk/forum/527567-please-read-before-posting-rules-and-guidelines-for.html. The rules were primarily drawn up to deal with the problem of hit-and-run posters -- people who just wanted a critique (or more likely wanted unstinting praise for their masterpiece!) and who left immediately without making any effort to join in with the rest of us. Behind the rules though, there was a new emphasis on something which already existed but which perhaps had been forgotten. SFF Chronicles is a community and it can only survive if there is reciprocity between members.
As I've said before, I think the Writing Challenge has been a huge success in bringing us more together, and long may it continue. I also think that it has spilled over into other areas and together with the new rules we are seeing more people giving more and better critiques. However, we can't get complacent. So here is another kind of Challenge. If you rarely or never critique -- why not have a go?
Teresa has written an excellent piece to help newbies daunted by the idea of critiquing -- http://www.sffchronicles.co.uk/forum/527581-some-tips-for-those-who-are-new-or.html
We need critiquers of all levels of experience and insight, from the most nit-pickiest on grammar and punctuation (pedants! we need more pedants!) to the most generalised "I like this because..." -- we also need established members to provide a good example to those who are coming new to the forums.
For those who are also writers, never forget that sitting and analysing someone else's prose is of real benefit when it comes to looking back at your own work. It's easier to see mistakes someone else has made -- and then it hits you, that you do exactly the same!
For those who are not writers, if you're here you're still a reader -- and it's helpful to know how our work reads to someone who isn't hung up on technical issues.
Above all, this is a site which depends on each of us doing our share. I hope and trust that one of the things which arises between us here is friendship -- and friends help each other.
So get out those red pens, sharpen those talons -- the poor victims... er... posters who put work up for evisceration... er... thoughtful and helpful comments... are waiting!
We all know (or we all should know...) about the relatively new Rules and Guidelines in Critiques -- and for those who have forgotten here's the link to them http://www.sffchronicles.co.uk/forum/527567-please-read-before-posting-rules-and-guidelines-for.html. The rules were primarily drawn up to deal with the problem of hit-and-run posters -- people who just wanted a critique (or more likely wanted unstinting praise for their masterpiece!) and who left immediately without making any effort to join in with the rest of us. Behind the rules though, there was a new emphasis on something which already existed but which perhaps had been forgotten. SFF Chronicles is a community and it can only survive if there is reciprocity between members.
As I've said before, I think the Writing Challenge has been a huge success in bringing us more together, and long may it continue. I also think that it has spilled over into other areas and together with the new rules we are seeing more people giving more and better critiques. However, we can't get complacent. So here is another kind of Challenge. If you rarely or never critique -- why not have a go?
Teresa has written an excellent piece to help newbies daunted by the idea of critiquing -- http://www.sffchronicles.co.uk/forum/527581-some-tips-for-those-who-are-new-or.html
We need critiquers of all levels of experience and insight, from the most nit-pickiest on grammar and punctuation (pedants! we need more pedants!) to the most generalised "I like this because..." -- we also need established members to provide a good example to those who are coming new to the forums.
For those who are also writers, never forget that sitting and analysing someone else's prose is of real benefit when it comes to looking back at your own work. It's easier to see mistakes someone else has made -- and then it hits you, that you do exactly the same!
For those who are not writers, if you're here you're still a reader -- and it's helpful to know how our work reads to someone who isn't hung up on technical issues.
Above all, this is a site which depends on each of us doing our share. I hope and trust that one of the things which arises between us here is friendship -- and friends help each other.
So get out those red pens, sharpen those talons -- the poor victims... er... posters who put work up for evisceration... er... thoughtful and helpful comments... are waiting!
